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Mix Master Mike

Real Name:
Michael Schwartz
Profile:
One of the premier scratch artists of the day, Mixmaster Mike got his initial itch for vinyl while growing up in San Francisco listening to his uncle's extensive record collection. As a kid, Mike was constantly welcomed when coming home from school with the sounds of his uncle's extensive collection. Years later, the moment that had the most impact on him was catching Grandmixer D. ST. on stage with Herbie Hancock.

With his newfound love of hip-hop and his foray into scratching, Mike got involved in the mobile DJ business playing house parties, weddings and all those other "cutting the chops" types of gigs some for experience and the exposure.

It was at one of those parties that he met Richard Quitevis, better known as DJ Q-Bert. Q-Bert wasn't a DJ at the time, but was so impressed with Mike's scratching technique that it had the same effect on him as watching Grandmixer D. ST. had for Mike. The following day, Richard went over to Mike's to watch him practice and it was there that the two quickly became friends.

In 1992, Mike was the first West Coast DJ to become World Champion by winning the New Music Seminar DJ Battle for World Supremacy in New York City. That same year, Mike, DJ Apollo and Q-Bert known as the first ever scratch band won the DMC World title.

In 1993 Mike and Q-Bert decided to take the competition to the next level by teaming up as a scratch duo known as "The Dream Team" and won the title once again.

In 1994 after winning three consecutive world titles and consistently coming out on top, Mike and Q-Bert were asked to step down from further competition as their domination was too much for the rest of the pack. The two performed an amazing "farewell" set and were honored to become DMC judges.

Shortly thereafter, friends and fellow turn tablists Triple Threat, DJ Apollo (Apollo Novicio), D-Styles (Dave Cuasito)and Shortkut (Jonathan Cruz) joined Mike and Q-Bert to form the Invisibl Skratch Piklz (ISP), the most influential and recognizable turntablist crew in history. Though the ISP no longer exists, the five founders still remain close to this day.

It was a chance meeting at the Rock Steady Anniversary Jam in NYC in 1994 with Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys that would propel Mike to the next level. The two exchanged numbers and Mike often left crazy scratch messages on Adam's answering service. Fellow Beasties Mario C. and Mike D caught on to his scratch message craze and in 1997 requested Mike's studio work for their multi-platinum album Hello Nasty. Soon after completion of Hello Nasty's recording, the Beastie Boys offered Mike to become their resident DJ.

In the summer of 1999, the International Turntablist Federation honored Mike with a lifetime achievement award for the advancement of the turntable as a musical instrument. The new millennium brought more amazing things from Mike. In March 2000 the Eye Of The Cyklops EP (Asphodel) dropped to brilliant reviews winning the California Music Awards as "Best New Electronic Album," with his first-ever mix CD Spin Cycle (Moonshine Music) following in 2001. Also check: Return Of The Cyclops (Asphodel), a special anthology of Mike's works recorded before and after his seminal album, Anti-Theft Device (Asphodel, 1999).

Never one to take a break, Mike's credits also include his weekly "Spin Psycle" radio show on KROQ-FM Los Angeles, as well as working with EA Sports on the "SSX" and "SSX Tricky" video games and on "Jet Grind Radio" for Sega Dreamcast. He also produced music for the motion picture soundtrack for Jail, Hospitals & Hip Hop, hosted the ESPN Action Awards and is also prominently featured in the indie film Scratch.

Mike's latest effort, Bangzilla, is nothing short of the titles reference. It's Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. Mike vs. Mecha Mike. Action packed, kick drums to the chest, hard bass for the booty, and all that scratchin' is bound to put a hurtin' on them. The battle is on.
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Discography

Releases:
Mix Masterpiece (Muzik's Worst Nightmare) (Album) (2 versions)   Down To Earth 1996
Neckthrust One (Cass)   Not On Label 1996
Rescue 916 (Cass)   Not On Label 1996
Needle Thrashers Volume 3 (LP)   Needle Thrashers 1997
Anti-Theft Device (Album) (3 versions)   Asphodel 1998
Suprize Packidge (Single, Maxi) (3 versions)   Asphodel 1998
Unidentifried Funk Octopus presents Eardrum Medicine (12")   Dirt Style Records 1998
Valuemeal 12 Inch Combo Deluxe (12")   Asphodel 1998
Return To The Planet Of The Beats Volume 2 (2xLP)   Empire Management 1999
The Unidentifried Essential (Cass)   Not On Label 1999
Eye Of The Cyklops (4 versions)   Asphodel 2000
30 Minute Massacre (12", EP)   Not On Label 2001
Munich Summer 2001 (12")   Not On Label 2001
Spin Psycle (CD, Mixed)   Moonshine Music 2001
Bangzilla (Album) (3 versions)   Immortal Records (3) ... 2004
Bangzilla: The Frequency Attack 12" (12")   Scratch Recordings, Immortal Records (3) 2004
The Serial Wax Killer - Unidentifried De Composed Essential (Cass, Mixed)   Not On Label  
Remixes:
Children Of The Korn (Maxi) (3 versions) Got The Life (I Got A ... Epic 1998
Got The Life (Maxi, Single) (4 versions) Got The Life (I Got A ... Epic ... 1998
Ultrasonic Sound (CD, EP) Ultrasonic Sound (Mixm... London Records 1998
Bombay 2: Electric Vindaloo (CD, Album) Hydrolik Carpet Ride Motel Records 2001
The New Mixes Vol. 1 (CD, Album) Hikky-Burr (Remix) Concord Jazz 2004
The Original Jam Sessions 1969 (CD, Album, RM) Hikky-Burr (Mix Master... Concord Records 2004
Mayfield:Remixed The Curtis Mayfield Collection (CD, Comp) Pusherman (Mix Master ... Rhino Entertainment Company 2005
Afrique Universelle - La Biennale Di Venezia (CD, Mixed, Promo) Kalakuta Show (Mix Mas... Synchronic 2007
Sunny Side Of Truth® Remixed (File, MP3, WAV) Tough Love (Mix Master... American Legacy Foundation 2008
Scratches:
Altered Beats - Assassin Knowledges Of The Remanipulated (Album) (3 versions) Invasion Of The Octopu... Axiom ... 1996
Invisibl Skratch Piklz Vs. Da Klamz Uv Deth - Furious Ostrich Tracks (12", Promo)   Asphodel 1996
Cosmic Assassins / Sneak Attack (12")   Galactic Butt Hair Records 1998
Hello Nasty (Album, Comp) (14 versions)   Capitol Records ... 1998
Shatter Proof / Consumption / Sunburn / Paradise Lost (12") Paradise Lost Battle Axe Records 1998
Wave Twisters - Episode 7 Million: Sonic Wars Within The Protons (Album) (3 versions) Inner Space Dental Com... Galactic Butt Hair Records 1998
Balance (Album) (7 versions) Left Field Battle Axe Records ... 1999
Get Naked (Maxi) (4 versions)   MCA Records 1999
Methods Of Mayhem (CD, Album, Enh) Get Naked MCA Records 1999
Country Mike's Greatest Hits (LP, Red) Country Delight Grand Royal 2000
Innerhythmic Sound System (CD) Flux and Reflux Innerhythmic 2001
Positive Contact (12") Positive Contact (Mari... 75 Ark 2001
Music Inspired By The Film "Scratch" (CD) Rockit 2.002 Transparent Music 2002
Rockit 2.002 (12") Rockit 2.002 (Full Len... Transparent Music 2002
Scratch (CD) Rockit 2.002 Transparent Music 2002
Lyrics Of Fury 2 (2 versions) Paradise Lost Underworld Inc. 2003
An Open Letter To NYC (Maxi, Single) (4 versions)   Capitol Records 2004
Ch-Check It Out (Single, Maxi) (10 versions)   Capitol Records ... 2004
To The 5 Boroughs (Album) (9 versions)   Capitol Records ... 2004
Triple Trouble (Maxi, Single) (3 versions)   Capitol Records 2004
Looking For The Perfect Beat (Instrumentals) (12")   Mr Bongo 2005
Lessons Live (LP, Promo) Live Lesson C Not On Label  
S&M On The Rocks / Committed / My Advice / Left Field (12") Left Field Battle Axe Records  
Production:
Cosmic Assassins / Sneak Attack (12")   Galactic Butt Hair Records 1998
Red Hot + Riot (CD) (Intro) Fela Mentality... MCA Records 2002
DJ Mixes:
The Cornerstone Player 026 (3xCD-ROM, Promo)   Cornerstone Promotion 2001
Appears On:
Live In Poland (CD, Album)   Jazz A Go-Go 1997
Hello Nasty (Album, Comp) (8 versions) Sneakin' Out The Hospi... Capitol Records ... 1998
The Wire Tapper (CD, Comp, Promo) Can Of Ass Kicks Wire Magazine 1998
Anthology: The Sounds Of Science (Comp) (2 versions) Three MC's And One DJ ... Grand Royal ... 1999
Get Naked (CD, Single, Enh, Promo) Get Naked MCA Records 1999
Methods Of Mayhem (Album) (5 versions)   MCA Records ... 1999
Masters Of The 1 & 2 - History's Greatest DJ's (CD, Comp) Billie Klubb Priority Records 2000
The Sinister Urge (Album) (3 versions)   Geffen Records 2001
Warszawa (CD, Album) Initiation, Flux And R... Innerhythmic 2001
An Open Letter To NYC (CD, Maxi)   Capitol Records 2004
Ch-Check It Out (Single) (3 versions)   Capitol Records 2004
Keep Right (3 versions) Here We Go Grit Records ... 2004
To The 5 Boroughs (CD, Album, Copy Prot., Dig + DVD-V, NTSC)   Toshiba EMI Ltd, Toshiba EMI Ltd 2004
Triple Trouble (Single) (3 versions)   Capitol Records ... 2004
Awesome; I... Shot That! (4 versions)   Revolver Entertainment ... 2006
Zurich (CD, Album, RE)   Innerhythmic 2006
Introducing Joss Stone (Album) (9 versions) Put Your Hands On Me, ... Virgin Records America ... 2007
Tracks Appear On:
Return Of The DJ (Comp) (4 versions) Terrorwrist (Beneath T... Bomb Hip-Hop Records 1995
Rocksteady Anniversary Jam Vol. 4 (LP) Mix Master Mike & QBer... Not On Label 1996
Quatermass: Art Of Beats (12") Art Of Beats I Mo Wax (White) 1997
Valis II - Everything Must Go (2xCD, Comp) Metatron Dub (live) Ion 1997
Coffeeshop Vol. 1 (CD) Rebel Enforcer Edel Records 1998
Deeper Concentration (Comp) (2 versions) Schwartz Via Aghaarta OM Records 1998
Spin Whites Vol 1 (12", W/Lbl) Vyce Gripp Muzik Magazine 1998
The Wire Tapper (CD, Comp, Promo) Can Of Ass Kicks Wire Magazine 1998
Asphodelic (CD, Comp, Smplr) Supa Wyde Laces, Audio... Asphodel 1999
Hot Wheels: Turbo Racer "Original Game Soundtrack" (CD, Album) Outee 360 Electronic Arts 1999
Krafty Kuts Presents Slam The Breaks On (3xLP) Suprize Packidge Lacerba 1999
Slam The Breaks On (2xCD) Surprize Packidge Lacerba 1999
Un Hiver 99 (CD) Surprize Packidge Les Inrockuptibles 1999
Welcome To Execrate (CD) Billie Klubb Leaf 1999
Beats From The Underground (CD, Comp) Suprize Packidge Breakin Beats 2000
Jet Grind Radio Music Sampler (CD) Patrol Knob Interscope Records 2000
Masters Of The 1 & 2 (CD) Billie Klubb Virgin Music (Canada) 2000
Masters Of The 1 & 2 - History's Greatest DJ's (CD, Comp) Billie Klubb Priority Records 2000
Mi Selecta (2xLP, Comp) Home Invasion Positive Sound Massive Recordings 2000
Bombay 2: Electric Vindaloo (2xLP) Hydrolik Carpet Ride Motel Records 2001
The Cornerstone Player 026 (3xCD-ROM, Promo) (Skratch Dose One) Meg... Cornerstone Promotion 2001
The Return Of The DJ - Allstar Album (Comp) (3 versions) Terrorwrist (Beneath T... MZEE Records 2001
Turntables By The Bay Volume 1 (LP) Battle For The Mind Hip Hop Slam 2001
Under The Influence (Comp) (2 versions) Surprise Packidge (Aut... Six Degrees Records ... 2001
Diverse Style From "B" 5th Style (2xCD, Comp) Amateurs' Squeezing (E... Diverse System 2002
Music From SSX Tricky (CD) Board Burner, Slayboarder Nettwerk 2002
Music Inspired By The Film "Scratch" (CD) (Live) Excerpt From In... Transparent Music 2002
Red Hot + Riot (Vinyl, Promo, Smplr) Fela Mentality MCA Records 2002
Red Hot + Riot (Comp) (2 versions) (Intro) Fela Mentality... MCA Records 2002
Scratch (CD) Excerpt From Innerhyth... Transparent Music 2002
Under The Influence (2x12") Surprize Packidge (Aut... Six Degrees Records 2002
The Best Of Return Of The DJ (CD) Terrorwrist (Beneath T... Bomb Hip-Hop Records 2003
Armory Hip Hop Shop Presents The Vinyl Option Part 4 (CD) Counter Attack Now Not On Label 2006
Bomb Anniversary Collection: 1991-2001 (4xCD) Terrorwrist (Beneath t... Bomb Hip-Hop Records  
Dissection (Cass, Mixed) Counter Attack Now Audiomicid  
Live On Tour (Vinyl, EP) Bedroom Set Not On Label  
Unofficial Releases:
90 Minutes Of Dumb (Cass, Mixed) Phoenix Diagram Not On Label 1999
Country Mike's Greatest Hits (3 versions) Country Delight Not On Label 2002
Up Close & Personal (LP) Alive (Mixmaster Mike ... Grand Royal, Capitol Records 2003
Innerhythmic Sound System (CDr) Flux And Reflux Iberica Logos Music 2005
Triple Trouble - Mix Master Mike Remix (12", S/Sided)   Not On Label (Beastie Boys) 2005
Breezeblock Mix Showcase (CD)   Bunghole Recordings 2006
Hello Nasty : Instrumentals (2x12")   Grand Royal 2006
Presents Beastie Cut N Paste (12")   Not On Label  
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